Ads of Cherry Coke cans featuring Warren Buffett's likeness have begun to circulate in China. (Photo : Twitter)
Billionaire Warren Buffett's face now graces the cans of Cherry Coke in China, as Coca-Cola Co. aims to capitalize on its biggest and most famous investor.
Coca-Cola, which introduced Cherry Coke in the country on March 10, will offer the cans featuring Buffett's likeness for a limited time while supplies last, according to its website. The soft drink giant cited Buffett's legendary reputation amongst Chinese investors who have sought to copy his tactics.
"As we thought of the most creative ways to bring the great taste of Cherry Coke to China, we thought who better to celebrate the launch of this special drink than its best-known fan," said Shelly Lin, Coca-Cola China's Marketing Director for Trademark.
Buffet, who owns a 9.3 percent stake in Coca-Cola through his holding firm Berkshire Hathaway, previously said he drinks around five cans of Cherry Coke daily and has been seen sipping the beverage at public events.
The investment tycoon also has a huge following in China, with Chinese businessmen flocking to Berkshire's annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.
According to the Omaha World Herald, more than 3,000 Chinese visitors have attended the meeting in 2016.
"Warren Buffett is the financial god in China," a founder of the Nebraska Chinese Association in Omaha, told the paper. He is being praised in China as the one who can never be beaten in the stock market. Many Chinese investors are crazy about him."
Buffett has also ardently defended Coke amidst concerns about the effects of sugary drinks. At his company's annual meeting last year, he said his happiness from drinking Coke outweighs the health benefits from eating vegetables.
"I have not seen evidence that convinces me that it'll be more likely I reach 100 if I suddenly switched to water and broccoli," Buffett said.
In addition to Buffett's love for Cherry Coke, his company and Coca-Cola have shared a long history together.
Since the late 1980's, Berkshire has been Coca-Cola's largest single shareowner with 400 million shares, according to the Coca-Cola's website.
In its latest annual report, Berkshire disclosed a gain on its investment in Coca-Cola of more than $15 billion, not including the ongoing benefits of quarterly dividends.
